Dining Out

10 Fast Food Restaurants with Secretly Vegan-Friendly Options

Posted by Brent Furdyk on July 4, 2017

While fast food is mostly burgers and fries, more and more restaurants are offering vegan dishes — sometimes serving up menu items you might not even realize are vegan. From thin crispy fries to bean burritos and more, check out these fast food options that can be enjoyed by vegans and meat eaters alike.

McDonalds Apple Pie

<p>Who knew that the iconic McDonald's Apple Pie was <a href="https://yourquestions.mcdonalds.ca/answer/dose-your-apple-pie-contain-pig-fat/" target="_blank"> vegan</a>? Apples wrapped in pastry that is dairy- and egg-free, the pie may, however, contain traces of milk. The reason McDonald's doesn't list its pies on its vegetarian/vegetarian menu is because of the very small possibility they could come into contact with the oil used to cook chicken and fish items.</p>

Burger King French Fries

<p>The "Home of the Whopper" is also home to vegan French fries, with no less a source that the <a href="http://www.peta.org/living/food/vegan-burger-king/" target="_blank">People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)</a> confirming that BK fries are vegan-friendly. In fact, the chain's fries are just one of several vegan menu items, along with its French toast sticks and hash browns, all of which use no animal-based products whatsoever.</p>

Chipotle Tacos and Burritos

<p>Mexican-themed Chipotle is becoming the vegan's go-to fast-food chain thanks to its addition of <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/02/chipotle-sofritas-vegan-tofu-burritos-tacos.html" target="_blank">Sofritas</a> to its menus. What are Sofritas? A crumbly, sausage-like tofu filling that is 100 per cent vegan and can be substituted for meat in many Chipotle items, including tacos and burritos. As a bonus, Chipotle's tortillas, fajita vegetables, rice, beans, salsas, chips, and guacamole are also vegan.</p>

Taco Bell Black Bean Burrito

<p>Taco Bell is has a surprising number of <a href="https://www.tacobell.com/feed/how-to-eat-veggie" target="_blank">vegan menu options</a>, and bills itself as "the first quick service restaurant to offer <a href="http://amerveg.org/About" target="_blank">American Vegetarian Association (AVA)</a> certified food options." Chief among these is the chain's <a href="https://www.tacobell.com/food/vegetarian/black-bean-burrito" target="_blank">Black Bean Burrito</a>, which blends rice, red sauce and black beans — hold the cheese and it's been <a href="https://www.peta.org/living/food/vegan-at-taco-bell/" target="_blank">confirmed to be vegan</a>.</p>

KFC Potato Wedges

<p>Frankly, there's not a whole lot for a vegan to eat at KFC, but the potato wedges are <a href="http://veg.ca/eat-veg/dining-out/vegetarian-fast-food/chicken-chains/" target="_blank">completely vegan</a>, with KFC cooking its potato wedges (as well as its fries) in vegetable oil, entirely separate from the chicken.</p>

Red Robin Garden Burger

<p>Red Robin's Garden Burger — built around a patty made from brown rice, spices, mushrooms, onions and rolled oats — is <a href="http://www.vrg.org/blog/2016/12/30/vegan-options-at-red-robin-gourmet-burgers-and-brews/" target="_blank">a delicious vegan alternative</a> to the chain's selection of meaty burgers. Vegans will want to make sure they order the burgers without cheese.</p>